Private boat Charters around Malta, Gozo & Comino

Turquoise water rewards a day at sea. This private charter gives you your own 43-foot motor cruiser for swimming, snorkeling, cave viewing, and unhurried time around Comino and Gozo. I especially like the choice of departure points, either Ċirkewwa in Malta or Mġarr Harbour in Gozo, and the fact that fuel, crew, masks, kayaks, SUPs, and bottled water are included. The main consideration is price: at $1,137.10 for a group of up to 15, it makes the most sense when you fill the boat.

I also like the flexible schedule, with morning and afternoon outings from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a sunset cruise from 5 to 9 p.m. Captain Joseph has earned praise for choosing good swimming spots and helping with timing when a cruise ship changed its arrival plans. One practical drawback is that lunch is not included, so you need to bring food or arrange your own meal.

Key points to know before booking

• A classic 43-foot Venetian motor cruiser: MV INGE III has a mahogany interior and teak decks, giving the boat a more traditional feel than a bare-bones speedboat.
• Private use for your own group: You are not sharing the boat with an unrelated crowd, though the advertised group limits should be confirmed because the capacity details vary.
• Comino gets the main attention: The route can include Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St. Mary Bay, St. Nicholas Bay, caves, Elephant Rock, and historic coastal landmarks.
• Water gear comes included: Masks, snorkels, swimming aids, a kayak, SUP, paddle board, cooler, ice, and bottled water are provided.
• Two useful sailing windows: Choose a daytime outing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or a sunset cruise from 5 to 9 p.m.
• Bring lunch and check the weather: Food is your responsibility, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

What you are booking aboard MV INGE III

This is not a quick harbor ride. MV INGE III is a 43-foot, or 13-meter, motor cruiser built in Venice by C. Rio boat builders. Its rustic mahogany interior and teak decking give it an old-school nautical character that should appeal to you if you prefer a boat with some personality.

The boat is licensed and insured for up to 35 people, but the private charter information gives a maximum of 20 or 25 people, while the listed price covers up to 15. That is a detail worth clarifying before you pay, especially if you are arranging a large family gathering or boat party. For a smaller group, the private format gives you much more control over the pace and swimming stops.

Onboard facilities include a shaded area, a sundeck, a bathing platform, two restrooms, a fresh-water shower, and listed accommodation. Music can be played through Bluetooth, AUX, or USB connections. These are not flashy extras. A shaded place matters in Malta’s strong sun, and the shower is useful after a salt-water swim.

The boat also carries a large cooler with ice flakes and ice cubes, plus bottled water. You can bring your own snacks, drinks, and food. Since lunch is not part of the package, pack enough for the full time you expect to be on the water.

Choosing between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr Harbour

You can start from Ċirkewwa in northern Malta or Mġarr Harbour on Gozo. The right choice depends on where you are staying and which island you want to pair with the boat day.

Ċirkewwa is the practical departure point if you are based on Malta and want to reach Comino quickly. Mġarr Harbour is the natural choice if you are staying on Gozo or want to begin with Gozo’s coastal coves. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so plan your land transport around that return.

The exact meeting instructions should be checked at booking. The advertised operating period runs from May 28, 2024, through September 1, 2026, with daytime hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and sunset trips from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The morning and afternoon schedule gives you a broad block of time, while the sunset cruise offers a shorter evening outing.

If you are arriving by cruise ship, communicate your docking time early. The operator has worked with changing cruise schedules and adjusted timing when a ship arrived late or shortened the available day. That flexibility can make a big difference, but it is still wise to confirm the plan before setting off.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon and cave-lined coast

Comino is the center of the usual route, and it earns that attention through its clear swimming water and compact coastline. The boat can circle the island, stopping at several places instead of dropping you at one crowded swimming area and calling it a day.

Blue Lagoon is the famous stop. Its pale, clear water is ideal for a swim, though its popularity means you should not expect solitude. A private boat helps because you can ask the skipper how long to stay and can move on if the area feels too busy.

Crystal Lagoon offers another swimming and snorkeling stop. The name gives you a fair idea of what draws people here: clear water, rocky edges, and a good setting for looking below the surface. Masks and snorkels are supplied, so you do not need to buy or rent basic equipment separately.

The route may also include St. Mary Bay and St. Nicholas Bay. These spots give you a chance to spread the day across different parts of Comino. You can swim, use the water equipment, or remain aboard and enjoy the coast from the shaded seating.

The boat passes Comino’s caves and coastal landmarks as it circles the island. Elephant Rock is one of the memorable natural sights, while St. Mary Battery and St. Mary Tower add man-made points of interest to the ride. You do not need to be a serious history fan to appreciate the change from bright water and rock walls to old defensive structures.

The main limitation is time. The published experience lasts about two to four hours, yet the detailed route describes Comino and Gozo sections of two hours each. Confirm the length of your chosen charter and which stops fit into it. A shorter booking will not provide the same coverage as a longer private cruise.

Gozo’s quieter swimming coves

The Gozo portion focuses on coastal beauty and swimming places reached by boat. This is valuable because the shoreline can look quite different from the inland sights you see by road. From the water, you can reach coves that are not practical to visit on a normal sightseeing day.

The plan is not a fixed list of every Gozo stop. The skipper can recommend places based on conditions and the time available. Captain Joseph has been praised for finding attractive swimming spots around Gozo and for suggesting a good restaurant on the island. That local guidance is useful if you want to combine a swim with a meal after the cruise, though the restaurant itself is not included in the charter.

Gozo is the better part of the outing if you want a less famous, less concentrated coastal experience than Blue Lagoon. Comino gives you the iconic water color and major landmarks. Gozo gives you more room to enjoy the coast at a slower pace.

Do not expect a full land tour of Gozo from this boat trip. You are seeing the island from the sea, with the emphasis on swimming and snorkeling. If you want churches, villages, museums, or inland scenery, you will need separate time on shore.

Water activities included in the charter

The equipment list is unusually useful for a private boat outing. Masks and snorkels are free, as are swimming aids. A kayak, stand-up paddleboard, and paddle board are also listed, allowing your group to spread out instead of taking turns with one small piece of gear.

I would still ask how many pieces of each item are carried if your group is large. The supplied details confirm that the equipment is included, but they do not state quantities. That question matters when 15 people are sharing a boat.

The bathing platform makes getting in and out of the water easier than climbing over the side. The fresh-water shower lets you rinse off afterward. Two restrooms are another practical benefit, especially for a group spending several hours aboard.

You can also bring your own playlist through Bluetooth, AUX, or USB. That works well for a birthday, reunion, or relaxed private party, but keep the music at a level that lets you hear safety instructions and enjoy the coast.

How the price works for a group of 15

The listed price is $1,137.10 per group of up to 15 people. That works out to about $76 per person if you fill every place. The per-person cost rises quickly with a small group, so this charter is strongest value for families, friends, or a special occasion with enough people to share the fixed boat cost.

The price includes the skipper, crew, fuel, equipment, water, cooler, ice, and onboard facilities. Those inclusions reduce the small charges that can add up on a boat day. You do not need to budget separately for fuel or basic snorkeling gear.

Lunch is excluded. You can bring your own food and drinks, which gives you control over both the menu and the cost. The cooler and ice make that arrangement practical. If you prefer to eat at a restaurant, ask about timing before departure, since a stop on Gozo may affect how much time remains for swimming.

The private format is the real value. You are paying for the boat, not just a seat. Your group can ask for more swimming time, spend less time at a stop, play its own music, and avoid being tied to an itinerary designed for strangers. That flexibility is harder to justify if you are alone or traveling as a couple.

Morning, afternoon, or sunset?

A morning or afternoon cruise is the best fit if swimming and snorkeling are your main goals. You have daylight for the caves, rock formations, and coastal landmarks, and the water activities are easier to enjoy when they are the center of the outing.

The sunset cruise runs from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. It is better suited to a special occasion, a relaxed meal you bring aboard, or a group that wants coastal views in changing light rather than a long list of swimming stops. Since dinner is not provided, pack food if you want to eat during the evening.

The exact start time can be discussed with the operator. Morning and afternoon cruises normally begin around 9 or 10 a.m., while the listed opening hours give 10 a.m. as the daytime start. Confirm the final departure time so your transport and meals line up.

What the service is like

Communication before the trip is one of the stronger points. The operator has been praised for answering questions online, staying punctual at meeting points, and helping with schedule changes. That is especially useful when you are coordinating ferry connections, a cruise ship arrival, or a larger group.

Captain Joseph receives specific praise for both boat handling and choosing swimming locations. He also helped with a Gozo restaurant recommendation. You should still tell the crew what kind of day you want: more swimming, more sightseeing, a sunset focus, or a celebration with time for food.

The boat itself is described as clean and photogenic. The teak deck, mahogany interior, sundeck, and bathing platform provide several different places to sit. That variety helps on a private charter because not everyone in your group will want to swim at the same time.

The overall rating is 4.6 out of 5, with 91 percent recommending the experience. With only 33 ratings, I would treat those numbers as encouraging rather than final proof of perfection. The strongest pattern is clear, though: good communication, punctual service, a capable skipper, clean surroundings, and attractive swimming stops.

Who should book this boat day?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families or friend groups that can share the group price
• Couples celebrating a special occasion with room to spare
• Cruise ship passengers who need help working around uncertain port times
• Snorkelers who want several coastal stops
• Groups that prefer private control over a fixed shared excursion
• People who want to bring their own food, drinks, and music

It may be less suitable if you want a cheap seat on a short sightseeing boat, a full guided tour of Gozo’s inland sights, or a catered lunch. It is also not the best choice if your plans cannot handle a weather-related change.

Service animals are allowed, the departure points are near public transportation, and most people can participate. The experience requires good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

For cancellations made at least 24 hours before the start time, a full refund is available. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, so keep the local cut-off time in mind.

Final booking advice

I would book this charter if your group wants a private day on the water rather than a basic transfer between islands. The included gear, cooler, fuel, crew, toilets, shower, and flexible route make the fixed price easier to justify, especially with 10 to 15 people.

Before paying, confirm the exact duration, final group capacity, departure point, food plan, and stops for your date. If those details suit you, MV INGE III offers a comfortable way to reach Comino’s best-known water and Gozo’s boat-only coves without rushing from one place to the next.

FAQ

Where does the private boat charter depart?

You can depart from Ċirkewwa in Malta or Mġarr Harbour in Gozo. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately two to four hours. Morning and afternoon operating hours are listed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the sunset cruise runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

What islands and places can the boat visit?

The route can include Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St. Mary Bay, St. Nicholas Bay, and coastal locations around Gozo. The boat also passes Comino caves, Elephant Rock, St. Mary Battery, and St. Mary Tower.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, and swimming aids are included. A kayak, SUP, and paddle board are also provided.

Is food included?

No. Lunch is not included. You may bring your own food, snacks, and drinks, and the boat provides bottled water, a cooler, and ice.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.